Affordable housing project opens at heritage home property in Mississauga

A new affordable housing project has opened at the site of two heritage homes in Mississauga.

Peel Region celebrated the opening of the Cornerstone Suites project in Streetsville on Thursday.

Cornerstone Suites is a housing project at 25 Thomas St. that includes 40 affordable, supportive rental housing units; 10 of which are accessible units, Peel Region said in a press release.

“By adding 40 supportive housing units for vulnerable residents, we are connecting people in need to vital resources and supports that will set them up for meaningful community connections and successful housing outcomes,” said Nando Iannicca, Peel Region chair.

Indwell Community Homes partnered with Peel Region on the project, which was funded by the federal government’s Rapid Housing Initiative, Ontario’s Social Services Relief Fund, Peel Region and Indwell Community Homes.

The project was completed this summer and residents started to move in last month, Indwell said.

“We’re so thrilled that tenants are finally moving into their new homes at Cornerstone Suites in Mississauga,” Indwell said. “Some new tenants previously lived in the run-down care home that Indwell has transformed. One tenant, ‘This place is different but it’s my home. It’s better this way.'”

The project included the restoration of two heritage homes at 25 Thomas St. and 253 Victoria St. The homes were previously private seniors’ group homes.

Known as the Cameron-Graydon House, the home at 25 Thomas St. was built around 1900, according to Heritage Mississauga. The home at 253 Victoria St. is also believed to date from around that period.

Both the homes were restored to blend “cultural heritage and character with modern, energy-efficient design,” the Region of Peel said.

The new home has common spaces, including a third-floor patio, and is built with a low carbon footprint for reduced utility bills for tenants.

As a supportive housing building, Cornerstone Suites provides individual-based support and services that contribute to living independently.

Peel Region is experiencing a housing crisis with residents from all walks of life struggling with housing affordability or experiencing homelessness, the release stated.

Learn more about Cornerstone Suites here and here.

Photos: Indwell Community Homes